POULTRY. 207 



more raw material, of which eggs are made up, that tlie machine 

 can be made to consume, the greater will be the production of 

 the manufactured eggs. If a hen requires three ounces of grain 

 per day to keep her in condition simply, without increase in any 

 respect, then it follows that unless she can get more than three 

 ounces, she can never produce an egg except at the expense of 

 her own substance. Hence all the profit must come from the 

 excess of the three ounces that are furnished and consumed. 

 For this reason, every expedient that dots not interfere with 

 the health of the animal should be made use of to induce her 

 to consume all the raw material possible out of which eggs are 

 formed. The appetite of fowls is not always a sure guide in 

 these cases. Perhaps there is nothing that they will eat with 

 greater avidity and apparent relish than hot boiled potatoes, 

 and yet if they are supplied with all that they will consume, 

 it will surely diminish and even stop the production of eggs. 

 This is also true of some other kinds of food. 



As far as our experience has taught us, up to the present 

 time, their requirements for the largest production of eggs 

 would be best supplied as follows : — 



1st. An unlimited supply of good wheat. It is very com- 

 mon to use the cheaper grains, and especially wheat screenings, 

 for this purpose, but we are convinced that a given amount of 

 money invested in first quality grain will yield a larger return 

 in eggs than if anything inferior is substituted. 



2d. An unlimited supply of sound corn. The same princi- 

 ple will apply here as regards inferior corn. It is also a fact 

 that a hen will consume less of second quality corn, if it is 

 poorly ripened, or has been injured by heating or otherwise ; 

 and this, in addition to its poorer quality, at once tells against 

 the production of eggs. 



3d. A limited amount of animal food. This may be pro- 

 vided in the form of fresh meat or fish, better if cooked, beef 

 or pork scrap-cake, ground ; or, what we have found to be a 

 very good substitute, skim-milk curd, freed from whey. This 

 last we supply to them without limit, as there is no risk of 

 their consuming it in injurious amounts, as they sometimes will 

 fresh meat. 



4th. Some form of vegeta])le fil)rc. Hens consume large 

 quantities of clover and grass during the summer season, if 



